VIPS

Building A Brighter Future for Indiana Children Who Are Blind or Have Low Vision

Imagine navigating the first steps of life without sight. For many young children in Indiana who are born blind or with low vision, simple milestones like recognizing a parent’s face, playing with toys, or exploring their surroundings can feel daunting. This is where VIPS comes in, offering hope and guidance for families navigating these challenges.

Founded in Louisville, Kentucky, in 1985, VIPS is the first and only nonprofit in Kentucky providing statewide early intervention and education services to infants, toddlers, and preschoolers who are blind or have low vision.

VIPS has always served Southern Indiana, but expanded further north because of the efforts of a passionate mother of a child who was legally blind and her relationship with a dedicated teacher of blind and low-vision students. Recognizing the urgent need for better support and resources for Indiana’s youngest children with blindness or low vision, they were determined to bring the VIPS mission further north. With the support of the VIPS Board of Directors and the Executive Director, their vision became a reality, and on August 1, 2011, VIPS began providing services in Bloomington and the surrounding areas.

Starting with just eight children, the program quickly grew, now delivering specialized early intervention services to more than 500 children in 74 of Indiana’s 92 counties. VIPS continues to be the only nonprofit to provide these services in Kentucky and Indiana.

“This is one of the most rewarding jobs I’ve ever had,” says Sheila Klopfenstein, Indiana Education Lead and Teacher of the Visually Impaired at VIPS. “To see these kids grow and develop fills me with such hope for the lives they are going to lead. And the parents. Being a parent is and always will be stressful, but the sense of relief these parents experience once they see their children grow in ways they never thought possible is just heartwarming.”

Most of VIPS’s work is done in the home, with the occasional outing. During a visit to the Indianapolis Zoo this summer with Sheila, Brooke shared what VIPS has meant to her and her daughter, Brynn.

“She walked through the door and we hugged each other like we’d known each other for all the days of our lives,” she says. “It just felt like a breather for me — this lady knows her stuff, and I’m drowning. On top of other complications, the visual aspect is a world that no one talks about. Having VIPS is wonderful.”

VIPS Supports Families in a Variety of Ways

Home Visits and Early Intervention: One of the cornerstones of VIPS is its home-visit program, where trained specialists visit families in their homes to work directly with the child. VIPS teachers help families understand how vision loss affects learning and provide them with the skills and resources to encourage their child’s sensory exploration, adaptive skill development, and engagement with their environment.

Preschool and Classroom Support: In addition to in-home visits, VIPS offers a nationally recognized AER (Association for the Education and Rehabilitation of the B/VI) accredited Kids Town Preschool in Louisville that supports and encourages the mission of preparing children with blindness/low vision to function as closely as possible to their same-age peers in a typical preschool environment. In Indiana, VIPS partners with the Indiana School for the Blind and Visually Impaired in Indianapolis who provides the opportunity for Preschool.

Family Support Services: Parents often need support as they learn to navigate their child’s diagnosis. VIPS offers resources, workshops, social events, an annual retreat and a community where families can connect with others who understand the daily challenges and triumphs of parenting a child with little to no sight. Whether it’s assisting at events, creating tactile learning materials, or helping with facility needs, VIPS welcomes volunteers to help support children and families across Kentucky and Indiana.

The Family Resource Center

After completing a successful capital and operations campaign, the Simon & Estelle Knoble VIPS Family Resource Center opened near downtown Indianapolis in 2022. VIPS children, their families, and the team have a 6,300-square-foot building designed to meet their needs, including an accessible Toddler Town, a sensory room, a Lending Library filled with braille and tactile books, lightboxes, and more, an outdoor sensory garden and playground, a Parent Hub, and expanded office space. VIPS parents and caregivers may bring their children and families to use the Family Resource Center at no cost!

“Research shows that the first five years of life are critical for brain development, and 80% of what a child learns is through their vision,” says Executive Director Diane Nelson. “For children with complex visual needs, the specialized support we provide during this time can build skills that last a lifetime.”

As a nonprofit, VIPS $4.2M budget relies heavily on donations to continue its work because our services are not considered medical, so insurance cannot be billed. Every dollar we raise helps provide our most critical need, which is educational materials and expert staff to support these young learners. Corporate sponsors are solicited to help offset the cost of events such as the VIPS Gala, Walking for Dreams, Pickleball Classic, VIPS Golf Tournament, and the Cupcake Classic 3K, and local businesses are encouraged to consider sponsoring an event that supports VIPS’ mission and promotes their business and services.

Looking ahead, VIPS’s vision is that every child identified and in need of critical vision intervention receives services during their formative years. VIPS aims to reach more families across Kentucky and Indiana, providing accessible resources and training for parents, educators, and healthcare providers alike.

In a world that often overlooks the unique needs of children with blindness or low vision, VIPS stands as a beacon of hope, ensuring that every child has the opportunity to learn, grow and thrive. Find out how you can help at vips.org.